Co-op to build £45m distribution centre at Biggleswade

Co-op is to build a 661,000 sq ft distribution depot at Symmetry Park, Biggleswade in Bedfordshire. The £45 million DC support its growth across London, the South and South East.

It has secured a 20-year lease on the site. Construction is to start at the end of 2019 and the depot is expected to open in early 2022, creating up to 1,200 jobs.

Co-op supply chain and logistics director Andy Perry said: “The new site will form part of an integrated review and rebalancing of volumes across our network – it will provide greater scale while future-proofing our operations. The move will reduce road miles, overall supply chain costs and supports our stores in the south by having more of our products closer to our members and customers and the communities in which they live and work.

“The infrastructure and site selection will deliver greater agility, scale and efficiency – improving service and availability at existing stores while building capacity to support our store investment programme and ambitions for continued growth.”

The new distribution centre will be developed with the goal of reducing environmental impact and work towards a BREEAM Excellent rating. It will feature low energy lighting and refrigeration, and the ability to harvest rainwater.